AS the sun increased in strength in mid-Devon during the May half-term break, so did the excitement at Morchard Bishop Playing Fields when around 75 primary school children “welcomed the sun” and endorsed the beach-themed three days, filled with fun, craft and action songs.

The marquee was transformed with decorative beach huts and surf boards, with the children being welcomed each morning to the theme tune: “Here comes the Sun” by The Beatles!

The two teams - buckets and spades - competed against each other, with the help of their leaders, in games such as “surfs up” where valuable points could be earned. Points were also given for “wish you were here” mail (jokes and prayers) as well as bringing along a friend.

At the end of each day, a leader from the losing team was gunged in the gunge tank - so the stakes were high!

Popeye the sailor visited the children each day, delivering a “message in a bottle” which helped everyone explore the day’s memory verse from the Bible.

These also appeared, in shorter versions, on the craft each day, when the children enjoyed making and decorating their own beach huts, journals and a local map - it was fun to work out and find different locations on a hand-drawn map!

Once again the ladies in the Lighthouse Café served delicious home-made cakes and welcome refreshments each day enabling coffee, cake and conversation to be shared amongst parents and friends.

Many parents attended the family “show time” at 4pm on the Friday when the children shared some of the games and songs that they had taken part in during the three days, which was followed by hot dogs and ice cream for all.

On the Thursday evening, 45 secondary school teenagers from across the area joined in the Lighthouse Youth event, an “Evening with Jozzy”.

Jozzy Mudzingwa (a Christian rapper from Plymouth) performed and he also judged a dance off - inspiring many with his exuberant joy!

The Lighthouse Club Team, made up of volunteers from churches of different denominations around the area, would like to thank Morchard Bishop Sports and Social Club for allowing their premises to be used.

Thanks also went to Devon Christian Youth Camps once again for the use of their marquee and equipment and of course, to the Pulse Ministries Team partners in running the event.

Look out for future Lighthouse events in the autumn.

Keep up-to-date via the Facebook page and for more information and photographs please visit: www.thelighthouseclub.org.uk .